How To Navigate A Career Fair

It’s one of the biggest dilemmas facing soon-to-be college graduates: how do I find a job?

Combing job-listing websites and beefing up your LinkedIn profile are solid ideas. But sometimes, nothing beats going to an old-fashioned career fair, say experts. They bring together dozens of recruiters under one roof, and job seekers can make the personal connections that are vital to getting their foot in the door.

With the career fair season now in full swing, we spoke with two of GEICO’s recruiting maestros, Mike Russo and Daenon Gault-Vasconez. Here are their tips for standing out in the crowd.

GEICO More: How should students get ready for a career fair?

Gault-Vasconez: Research the company, the position and the industry [you are interested in]. That will put you miles ahead of other candidates who have not done any research.

GEICO More: What are companies looking for in potential hires?

Russo: Talent! Every potential job seeker will say that they are dedicated and determined to do a good job. But potential hires need to articulate [using] their unique experiences why they are a match for the company.

GEICO More: We hear recruiters talk all the time about the importance of a good elevator pitch—those 30-second speeches that job seekers use to describe who they are and what makes them unique. What’s the key to a good pitch?

Russo: [Practice] your pitch, or elevator speech, a few nights before the career fair in front of a mirror and your friends. [It] may sound cheesy, but it’s effective! Recruiters are going to speak to hundreds of potential job seekers, and a great way to stand out is to be polished, prepared and comfortable in telling your story.

GEICO More: How should students dress?

Gault-Vasconez: Do not dress in anything less than business professional.

GEICO More: How can students compensate for a lack of work experience, which seems so important to companies?

Gault-Vasconez: Internships are always a good place to get some experience, but they can be very competitive. If you can’t get an internship, consider volunteering. Yes, these positions are non-paid, but you’ll be able to hone your skills, add this experience to your résumé and potentially set yourself up for full-time, paid employment upon graduation.

GEICO recruiters are fanning out to campuses across America. Catch them at one of these events this September:

University of Massachusetts Boston Business Career Fair
September 29, 2015
Hours: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Job and Internship Expo